Also, I think that when wives work, they're seen as more equal partners in a marriage by the husbands than wives who don't bring home a paycheck.
I personally can't imagine not contributing to DH's and my joint checking account and our joint savings account with my own income, instead of depending on him to earn all of the money that we need for our household expenses, expenses for our pets and fun things like vacations.
I think our house feels more like it's truly "ours" because we both work to pay the mortgage and other expenses, and both of us are putting money toward renovating it (it's an older home). And it's great to both work together to earn and save money for something we really want, like a vacation.
I also can't imagine not having my own personal checking account so I can spend my own money as I wish - no questions asked from DH.
My younger sister has been a SAHM for seven years, and she doesn't have her own checking account or even credit cards that are only in her name, as she doesn't earn an income. Instead, everything she buys is from their joint checking account, which only her husband contributes to. And he can use his earning power against her. More than once I've witnessed him complaining to her about the high cost of something and raising his voice when he says, "I'm the one earning the money!"
I think that if I were a housewife for any reason, I'd still want my own personal checking account so I could buy whatever I want from that - but my DH would still have to give me an "allowance" each month from his paycheck because I wouldn't be earning a paycheck myself. And when one spouse has to take an allowance from the other one or ask the other one for money, the spouses can't be true equals.